Tuesday, March 11th, 2025: Happy 91st Birthday Catherine! Fluffco strikes again, James takes Virgil to the stake center, WW Veggie soup

 

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

23rd operating temple

Dedicated: 9-11 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 29:1-14

Come Follow Me

D&C 20:37, 75-79; 22

Sacred ordinances help me become like the Savior.

D. Todd Christofferson, "Why the Covenant Path," AGC 2021

October General Conference

"Ye Are My Friends"

Elder David L. Buckner

"I worship on Sunday as a reminder that we need each other and together we need Him. Our unique gifts and talents that differentiate us in a secular world unite un in a sacred space."

Our roustabout night cat is a sleepy cat during the day.

I have a major war here at home. It's called the war against dust. Because it has been so dry there is dust everywhere. Dust is something that really annoys me!

I wonder if my friend Becky Skousen's Facebook account has been hacked. On Sunday she posted about graduating from a bitcoin class and being a bitcoin expert. That's fine, this could be true. Yesterday she posted about building a huge home and how it would be their new home in 3 months. I messaged her and asked if she was moving out of our ward. She said, "After the project is done, we will decide whether we stay or not." This doesn't make sense when in the Facebook post she said the home would be theirs in 3 months. I wonder what is going on. I plan on asking her at our next Bunco meeting.

James left to work at the Beach's before Alex got up. When Alex got up, he was ready to leave for home, still not feeling well he wants to get home in time to take a nap before going to the airport to pick up Sheri and those coming back from Italy.

Even though he doesn't feel well,

he still looks good!

James went in to town after working at the Beach's this morning. Between 6am and 11:59pm gas is 40 cents off a gallon as part of Circle K's Inner Circle. He filled up his truck and he said he saved $10.00. He also went to Walmart and got me some yogurt. 

I worked on my Nokbox today. Nok stands for Next of kin. This is a system of everything my "next of kin" will need after I am gone. It is quite extensive and I have a long way to go to finish. I also have to encourage James to finish revising our will, but I think I will wait until he is finished with the taxes. 

This afternoon I began mending James's work pants, taking them upstairs where the sewing machine is. While upstairs I found the book, Lucian Bonaparte Maxwell that my dad gave me. 

He looks rather "rough" doesn't he.

I'm not sure how we are related.

I also found a book I have been looking for, The Infinite Atonement, by Tad R. Callister. I want to make it a part of my study of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

A little after 3 I went to visit Catherine Halcomb. Today is her 91st birthday. On the way I stopped at the post office to pick up on of her gifts, a journal like this one, only it is pink.

I love these journals and they come in 10 different colors. I am tempted to get one in each color. I also gave Catherine a candle, some pastel markers, and some pretty pink, Black Cherry, hand soap.

Catherine and I visited for awhile and she showed me a blue jean quilt she is working on for Lynda Finnell. Kerri was there too, she was suffering from allergies because of the juniper trees.

This evening James took Virgil Cooper in to the stake center to get his temple recommend signed. He stopped to get gas in the car at Circle K and they were still giving 40 cents off a gallon. Woohoo!

I made Weight Watcher veggie soup while James was gone so he would have a nice hot meal when he got home. 

Notes & Quotes

"Obedience is a hallmark of prophets; it has provided strength and knowledge to them throughout the ages. It is essential for us to realize that we, as well, are entitled to this sour of strength and knowledge. It is readily available to each of us today as we obey God's commandments."

- Thomas S. Monson

Sheri's post. Why so many ooo's?

England

Paul's sisters son

Alex's boots

Sleeping Tom

Monday, March 10th, 2025: Slept in because of lousy sleep @ night, Walmart, beautiful weather, Lemon & Garlic Shrimp Linguine a hit, Alex sick but getting better, "When Calls the Heart"

 

Apia, Samoa

22nd operating temple

Dedicated: 5-6 Aug 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 28:17-32

Come Follow Me

D&C 20-21 Jesus Christ has restored His Church. 

Dallin H. Oaks, "The Need for a Church", OGC 2021

October General Conference

'Welcome to the Church of Joy'

Elder Patrick Kearon

"We do not gather on the Sabbath simply to attend sacrament meeting and check it off the list. There is a significant difference between the two. To attend means to be present at. But to worship is to intentionally praise and adore our God in a way that transforms us!"

Alex is sick. He is asking for Advil and we don't have any so I am going to the store. I slept in and didn't get my early morning study in or finish my blog. James and I did have prayer and our study time. 

Around 11:30 I left for town. Alex also wants some Gatorade so I put that on my list. Alex assures me his sickness isn't from something he ate, he says it's more flu-like with chills. I had promised him I would make shrimp linguine for dinner and I needed to get the ingredients. I also picked up my Tramadol prescription. James did not go with me. He has two projects going on right now. First, he's getting ready to pour concrete at the Beach's. Second, he is still working on getting income taxes ready to hand over to the accountant. 

I came home, put groceries away, and took a nap. After my nap, it was time to fix dinner. The most time-consuming part of making lemon shrimp linguine is mincing the six cloves of garlic. For some reason Walmart is carrying elephant garlic. The cloves are huge and the flavor is less pungent than regular garlic. Juicing and zesting the lemons takes a few minutes too. Sauteing the shrimp and boiling the pasta are easy peasy. I got medium shrimp instead of large. We had a lot more shrimp than we would have had if they were large. James was a little miffed because I didn't remove the tails. I promised I would the next time I made this recipe.

Alex and I both loved the dish. James isn't a huge fan of pasta but because I cut the red pepper flakes down to 1/8the of a teaspoon and it wasn't at all hot, he liked it too. He added parmesan cheese to his and he says it makes it so much better. I will try that next time.

After doing the dishes, breaking a black bowl, and cleaning the floor I went in to work on my blog. James had my phone walking and listening to "Heart of Snow." I asked for my phone back around 8:30 so I could watch "When Calls the Heart." Little Jack has type 1 diabetes. This was very serious back in the early 1900's. 

Tom was outside on one chair and Sammy on the other. Both James and I called him in but he just stared at us. Obviously he wants to stay outside with Sammy. Maybe they are becoming friends. He was outside until about 3:45 a.m.

Notes & Quotes

"You've got this because Jesus Christ has got you!"

- Bradley R. Wilcox

Sheri's post

Ben's post in Switzerland

Sunday, March 9th: No clouds today, nice day, but no moisture, James's haircut, John Finnell & Collin DeWitt, Rosie teaches RS, Rdy for Alex's visit, He comes just after 5, homemade pizza, nice visit, Five Crowns, Kim's call not coming until the 21st

 

Atlanta, Georgia

21st operating temple

Dedicated: 1-4 June 1983

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 28:1-16

Come Follow Me

Mar 10-16: "The Rise of the Church of Christ" 

D&C 20-22 Introduction

October General Conference

'His Hand Ready to Help Us'

Elder Juan Pablo Villar

"If I think celestial, I know that we are not left alone in this life. While we must face challenges and trials, our Heavenly Father knows our capabilities and knows we can bear or overcome our difficulties. We must do our part and turn to Him in faith. His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, is our rescuer and will always be there."

No clouds today, the clouds have gone away. It was a nice day, but there was no moisture. 

I gave James a haircut before church. It's the shortest one I've ever given him, but I like it! 

We sat behind the Waypoint guys in sacrament meeting. There were two of them, Micah and Johnny. Micah had on a sweatshirt that said on the back: Dear Person Behind Me, The world is a better place because you are in it. Thank you. After the meeting I told Micah I liked the message on the back of his shirt. He thanked me and said that his mother had given it to him. He must have a nice mother.

John Finnell was the first speaker in sacrament meeting. His topic was the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. He mentioned the song "I'm trying to Be Like Jesus" my favorite Primary song. Some examples of Jesus showing love and compassion. 

Mark 6:34-34 Feeding the five thousand was not only a miracle but an act of love and compassion. Next we went to John 11:30-44 Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Jesus had compassion on Lazarus's family and even wept with them. 3 Nephi 17;18-24 Again Jesus wept. He took their little children and blessed them. Christ was moved with compassion. Jesus's compassion and charity are at the root of the Atonement and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Luke 7:44-49 The woman with the alabaster box. Jesus had compassion on her because of her love for Him. Those who love much are forgiven. Linda S. Reeve: "Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us. They feel the depth of our suffering. Jesus Christ knows how to succor us. 

Collin DeWitt He asked Sandra Wilhelm to ask her children what the message of the Prodigal Son. Johnny said the message was: "You can always come back." This is the message of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Luke 15:29-30 For this my son was dead and now he is alive... (to the older brother) all that I have is thine.  We need to welcome those who are coming back. We can never sink so low that we can't come back.

Rosie Lauritzen taught Relief Society as Wendy DeWitt is in the valley. The lesson is based on Elder Uchtdorf's talk, "Nourish the Roots, and the Branches Will Grow." Here are some pictures of her visual aids:

I love this tree!

I love Rosie and she did a great job today. I spoke with her afterwards and she was concerned because she thought there wasn't enough discussion. I told her she did a beautiful job and the discussion was enlightening. I love Rosie, she is the sweetest.

I sat by Kathy Crane and Joanna Patrick during Relief Society. Lynda Finnell and Oksana sat in front of us. Oksana is a non-member and a friend from Bunco and a security guard at the prison in St. Johns. She pants, a baseball cap and a camo jacket. It doesn't matter, I'm just glad she is here.

I visited with Tamara after the lesson and we talked about the house she and Jimmy are building. She is concerned that it is a little ostentatious. I said it would be known as the "Vernon mansion"and we laughed about it. 

Back at home we had some lunch and then took naps. Tom came and napped with me. I got up around 3 to finish getting ready for Alex's visit. I finished cleaning the wood floors and then went upstairs and cleaned the bathroom in the Trezise room. I also cleaned the bathroom downstairs in the basement in case Alex wanted to stay down there. Alex arrived a little after 5. I had just started preparing homemade pizza dough. Here is what our pizza looked like:

One side is a little bare because Alex didn't want olives or

mushrooms. The pizza was quite delicious.

After dinner and the kitchen was cleaned Alex asked if we could paly a game of Five Crowns, which we did. Alex did all of the shuffling as neither James nor I are very good at it. Alex ended up winning and I ended up losing. We enjoyed his company so much. He is so smart and interesting to talk to. He told us about school and the classes he is taking. He wants to be an English professor, or teach creative writing and he wants to be a published writer. He writes all of the time. He told us about his work. He works at a very exclusive restaurant in Scottsdale called Oceans 44 as a busboy. He explained bitcoin to us and just seems to have an all around knowledge of the world around him. Oh how I wish he had a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He would be an amazing disciple. Tom likes him too. Alex and James were talking in the family room and Alex was holding a blanket. Tom came over and jumped up on his lap. 

I texted Wendy DeWitt today and told her I missed her and asked if she was okay. Here is what she wrote back:

"I'm doing so great! We're officially snow birds and have a darling apartment here in the valley right in the middle of all our children and grandchildren. I've seen more of my family in the past 2 weeks than I have in years. Collin still has to work for a little while but he comes down as much as possible. Thanks for thinking of me! 

This is what I wrote back:

Sounds great but we miss you here. Hope to see you when the weather warms up. 

She wrote back: Thanks.

Kim asked if she could come up on the 21st instead of this next weekend because one of the girls in her class is getting baptized and wants her to speak at the baptism. I told her that was fine and she would be here when I gave the lesson in RS based on Emily Freeman's talk. 

These girls get to spend a couple

of days and nights together.

 

Saturday, March 8th, 2025: Looks like more snow, but not really, Gladys 'Buni' Denham's funeral, Kim & Greg Anderson, meatloaf no more, Alex tomorrow,

 

Jordan River, Utah

20th operating temple

Dedicated: 16-20 Nov 1981

By: Spencer W. Kimball

Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 27:12-35

Come Follow Me

D&C 19 

Historical Background

October General Conference

'Bonded to Jesus Christ: Becoming the Salt of the Earth'

Eder Jose A. Teixeira

"We can do simple things that, with consistent efforts in small and meaningful acts, can deepen our discipleship and commitment to Jesus Christ. Here are four simple yet profound ways we can strive to be the salt of the earth: 1) Keeping the house of the Lord at the center of our devotion. 2) Being deliberate in our efforts to strengthen others by living the gospel together. 3) Being willing to accept a calling and serving in the Church. 4) Using digital communication tools with purpose.

Tom was out all night. He came in to eat and went out again. He must like the snow.

We left at around 9:20 to meet Greg & Kim Anderson at Dollar General. We are riding with them to Buni Denham's funeral. They insisted that we ride with them in the back seat of their Tacoma truck, which we did. 

We arrived early at the Pinedale/Claysprings chapel where the funeral is being held. Here is a picture of the program:

Gladys was a flight attendant for 30 years for

Western Airlines.

The picture under the cats is how I 

remember Gladys/"Buni"

I want to say this before I talk about the funeral. Now I better understand the bond between James and Greg. Greg loves history, especially old west history, and he loves to hear James tell pioneer stories about his grandad. Greg is fascinated that James great grandfather was a U.S. Marshall. We listened to stories about Frank Bates Lambson all the way to Pinedale.

Walter, Gladys's younger brother greeted us inside the church. He is the same age as Gail and actually went to school with Gail at McClintock High and ended up working for James one summer.

Walter gave the life sketch and was the first speaker on the program. He said Gladys attended high school in Snowflake her freshman, sophomore, and junior years and then moved to Thatcher for her senior year. I guess we must have been juniors when we took that earth science class together.

I always wondered how Gladys went from Gladys to Buni. Here is the story. Her nickname in Snowflake was "Happy Bottom" and I guess that carried over to when she moved to Thatcher. Happy Bottom became "Chuckle Buns" and Buni evolved from that. 

From here on I am going to refer to Gladys as Buni. Buni's second career was working for Walter, her brother, who is a dentist in Pinetop. She worked for him for 23 years. She worked at the front desk and would be talking about people and Walt could hear her as he was working on patients in the back. He would come out and tell her she needed to quiet down because the patients could hear her talking about other patients. 

Buni loved to travel and traveled all over the world with friends and family, sharing her buddy passes. Many of her trips were with her mom and dad. Once Buni and three friends rented a small call in Ireland. The four of them caused the frame of the car to rub up against the wheels and the car wouldn't go anywhere. They had to rent a bigger car. In the bigger car they didn't have to sit with their suitcases on their laps. 

One person who traveled with her said she would rinse her underwear out at night and hang them over the lighted lamps so they would dry. Her roommate said it was interesting trying to read at night with that underwear on the lamps.

Buni lived in Pinedale at Denham's Grove where the family would gather for fun and games, especially during the summer. Buni loved to play cards and one of her favorite games was Hand and Foot. She won a trophy for being the best all-time loser. Loved animals, especially cats. She would set cat food out and attract all kinds of animals which caused a few problems in Denham Grove.

Walter said in the office they labeled her ADD, a dental dummy. After she had worked there awhile he said she was labeled ADHD, A dental half dummy. Buni had a great sense of humor and could always laugh at herself and take a joke. 

Buni had a genetic disorder which caused her to develop COPD. She overcame alcohol and cigarette addictions and helped others to do the same. She developed pneumonia in October and could never seem to get over it. Her oxygen levels were way down. She passed away on February 23rd. 

Charles, another of Buni's brothers was the next speaker. I dated Charles in high school only back then we called him Charlie. He lived in Snowflake and I lived in Show Low. He would come down and visit me and was a very nice, well-mannered guy. 

Charlie, for some reason I just can't call him Charles, gave the spiritual talk. He based most of his remarks from a book by President Nelson called, "The Gateway We Call Death." Here are just a few scribbled notes: Live is a three-act play. Act 1 - premortal life, Act 2 - Earth life, and Act 3 is death where we are judged and assigned a realm or kingdom to live in throughout eternity. We have an opportunity to return to our heavenly home. Death is a part of life. It is the separation of the spirit and body and part of God's great plan of happiness. Death is a gateway to immortality and eternal life. 

I made meatloaf for dinner, baked potatoes, and green beans.

Began watching "The Reluctant Royal" starring Andrew Walker, but at 9:30 I turned it off so we could go to bed.

Elder Finnegan and his family

Elder Finnegan will be serving in the

Seattle, Washington mission

Kacey & Jared's temple attendance

2025

Italy

Tom and James having a moment

Jared looks so great!